The Brent Magazine issue 109 December 2010

ISSUE NO.109 • FREE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN BRENT • PUBLISHED BY BRENT COUNCIL • DECEMBER 2010

Chanukah and Christmas festivities Find out what’s on

Enjoying the good life Brent’s awardwinning allotment

Contents

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Gandalf works magic on bullying Sir Ian McKellen visits two Brent schools

Your library – your say

Welcome to the December issue of The Brent Magazine

Proposed changes to the library service

Feast of festivities What’s on during Chanukah and Christmas

A good life at allotments Celebrating Brent’s award winners

13

Crime clean up Sweeping changes in Alperton

The changing face of Brent What the census can tell us

Regulars

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25

Update Competitions Brent people All in a day’s work

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Another year is almost over and the festive season is about to start. The Brent Magazine can help you celebrate – we have details of Brent’s Chanukah celebrations and a guide to some of the different events going on for Christmas. (see page 13) The council is being forced to think about how it continues to deliver services to residents in the future, in the light of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review. This will cost the council around £37 million next year. Read more on the news pages.

Brent is currently looking at changing the way residents experience libraries and we want you to have your say on the plans.

Find out how you can get involved on page 11.

Rachel Gardner Editor, The Brent Magazine

BDU 6344 10.10

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Features

Secret history Time out

Issue No. 109 Decmber 2010 The Brent Magazine contacts Distribution queries and editorial 020 8937 1098 tbm@brent.gov.uk Advertising 020 8937 1097 advertising@brent.gov.uk Published by the London Borough of Brent, Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley Middlesex.

The London Borough of Brent does not accept responsibility for any goods or services offered by advertisers. Publication of an advertisement does not imply recommendation by the council of goods or services advertised.

Printed on 100% recycled paper. Please use your local paper bank when disposing of this and other paper.

One Stop Service 020 8937 1200 www.brent.gov.uk The Brent Magazine is available in large print and on audio tape.

Please ring 020 8937 1106 Cover image: Ricky Campbell and Debra Tyrell on their allotment at Bridge Road.

Photograph by EMMA HARPIN.

UPdate

Council announces cuts in response to government spending review Brent Council is moving into the second phase of its efficiency programme to help tackle the financial cuts announced in the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review.

In response to the economic down turn, Brent has gone through the first phase of a major structure and staffing review. This led to a reduction in the number of posts across the council - mostly through voluntary redundancy, the deletion of vacant

posts and a reduction in agency staff.

However, the economic position for local authorities has since worsened, with government funding being cut by around 26 per cent over the next four years. This is expected to cost Brent Council around £37 million next year, of which some £21m is expected to be found through One Council initiatives. This still leaves £16m to be found and will mean some difficult decisions have to be taken.

By mid December Brent will have an idea of what its new structure will look like. It is proposed that this will be in place by June next year.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Deputy Leader of Brent Council and Lead Member for Resources, said: “All councils across the country are now feeling the pinch, but our priorities remain the same: to protect the most vulnerable people in our borough."

Demolition signals start of re-development at Barham Park Demolition work has started on the Barham Park Estate to make way for a new generation of housing for hundreds of tenants.

Over 60 old properties are being knocked down as part of phase one of the estate’s fiveyear regeneration programme.

They will be replaced by 119 modern new homes, including 51 flats and maisonettes for affordable rent, 31 flats for shared ownership and 37 flats for private sale, due to be completed in the summer/autumn of 2012 .

Phases two and three of the scheme, went on show at a special exhibition in October.

They include flats and family

houses with gardens incorporating green roofs and sustainable features to exclude noise and keep in warmth. A wildlife habitat as well as retail space and a community centre is also being proposed. These properties, which residents helped to design, are due to be completed in 2015.

The entire estate is being re-developed by Notting Hill Housing and Countryside Properties, in partnership with Brent Council. The Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) is also a partner through the funding contribution for the scheme.

For more information contact 020 8937 2269.

Headteacher John Redpath and IT manager Daphne Anazodo

National IT award Preston Park Primary School has received the Beyond the Classroom award at the Becta ICT Excellence Awards 2010 for helping to break down barriers to learning outside the classroom. The prestigious accolade is awarded to just one primary school nationally each year and the school beat

Celebrating ten years of achievement

Demolition starts on Barham Park Estate

The Celebration of Achievement ceremony returns for an impressive tenth consecutive year at the Wembley Plaza hotel.

The awards ceremony is for nominated Brent Children in Care and recognises their many achievements over the past year. They receive a certificate and prize and spend the day socialising with other children who are in a similar situation as them.

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off stiff competition to win it.

The Becta judges were particularly impressed by Preston Park's Managed Learning Environment (MLE) called My Room – a 150-room website were pupils can do their homework and parents can get access to information about lessons.

DECEMBER 2010

Celebrating the achievements of children who have been through a range of experiences, boosts their self esteem and self confidence.

These achievements can be in education, sports, or even simply by improving their behaviour or becoming involved in an activity that they enjoy; it doesn’t matter how big or small the achievement is, it counts.

UPdate

Work starts on new civic centre Brent Council has named Skanska to build its landmark civic centre.

Work is starting on the site opposite Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena Square, with the building expected to be ready for use by June 2013.

The nine-storey building will provide many facilities for Brent’s communities, including a new library and learning centre, wedding suite and wedding gardens, a large community hall, restaurant and retail space and a winter garden.

Up to 2,000 staff and councillors will be based in the building.

Councillor Ann John, Leader of Brent Council, said: "Brent's new Civic Centre will save the council around £2 million per year as we will move the majority of council services to this one building instead of operating at 14 dilapidated old buildings and it will not cost the tax payer a penny. The building will enable us to work more efficiently, improving the way we deliver better value services to Brent's residents. This new building also represents a fantastic opportunity to become part of what will become a thriving and vibrant local, national and international destination.” For details visit www.brent.gov.uk/civiccentre

Artist’s impression of what the new civic centre will look like

A new beginning for children’s centre The newly refurbished St Raphael’s Intergenerational and Children’s Centre will be launched on 10 December.

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 12.30pm to officially celebrate the opening of the building.

Entertainment on the day will include a steel band and activities for children.

Some of the services now available at the new centre include family support, stay and play groups, first aid courses and keep fit classes.

The new centre is based at St Raphael’s Estate in Rainborough Close.

For more information call 020 8937 3620.

Get your event in the Culture Diary If you are planning a cultural event in 2012, the Mayor of London wants to hear from you. In the first of its kind, a huge online calendar The Culture Diary is being created to showcase every cultural event taking place across London in one of the most exciting years in the capital's long history – from large scale spectaculars to community based activities.

When The Culture Diary goes 'live' in the run up to 1 January 2012, it means anyone planning a visit to the capital, as well as Londoners, will have a single source of information about the enormous array of cultural and creative activity throughout the city.

Upload details at www.theculturediary.com The closing date for entries is 31 December 2010.

Early snow a possibility Brent Council is ready for the worst that winter has to throw at the borough, including a possible early snowfall.

Last year’s unusually cold winter resulted in many local authorities almost running out of road salt. During the final period of severe ice and snow this year Brent had just one day’s supply left. This year (2010/11) Brent has around 1,000 tonnes of salt/grit in stock already to guard against an early frost. A further 3,000 tonnes were delivered throughout November, which is 1,000 tonnes more than was

used throughout the whole of last winter. During the whole of the winter period of 2009/10 the council used 2,000 tonnes of road salt to keep major routes moving, 50 per cent more than the previous highest total.

Brent Council will keep main roads and routes clear of ice and snow, but during extended periods of bad weather side roads and pavements will not be cleared.

For more information and advice on winter weather issues www.brent.gov.uk/winter or telephone StreetCare on 020 8937 5050.

Brent is ready to guard against an early frost

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UPdate

Brent celebrates 2012 legacy with Lord Seb Coe The excitement of the Olympics and Paralympic Games came to Chalkhill Community Centre on Wednesday 10 November when Lord Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) joined local residents and The West London Partnership for the 2012 Games (WLP2012) to celebrate the inspirational sporting projects and achievements within Brent.

Lord Coe also visited the temporary swimming pool currently open at Chalkhill Primary School.

His visit to the borough was organised with the help of volunteers from the Inspiring Brent Young Ambassadors programme.

The initiative encourages young people aged between 14-16 years to engage with the London Games while developing their leadership skills, confidence, self esteem and motivation.

Brent Council is committed to securing the maximum benefits from the London 2012 Games to create a lasting legacy for all our communities.

Brent’s action plan for the London Games aims to use the power of the London Games to inspire and engage residents and businesses through exciting events that motivate, stimulate and bring positive change.

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/inspiringbrent for more information.

Lord Seb Coe with some of the young volunteers Photograph by Denzel Johnson

London needs you in 2012 The Mayor of London Boris Johnson aims to recruit 8,000 volunteers known as London Ambassadors to provide help and advice to visitors during the Olympics and Paralympics.

The London Ambassadors will be based at 35 sites including Brent.

Register at ww.london ambassadors.org.uk On 1 January 2011 application forms will be sent to those who have registered.

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DECEMBER 2010

Warning about fake charity collections Brent and Harrow Trading Standards Service is warning householders not to assume charity leaflets are from actual charities.

Donations of clothing, shoes and household items are requested, claiming that they will be sent to third world countries. Many collections are not made by charities, but by commercial operators.

If in doubt, pass the goods to your local registered charity shop or visit www.charity -commission.gov.uk to see if a company is registered, or call 0845 3000 218.

Raising standards and rewarding excellence The Green Man Pub Hotel was named winner of the overall excellence award 2010 at Best Bar None in Wembley.

Best Bar None is the annual award scheme run by Brent Council and Brent Police that

celebrates the best-managed pubs, clubs and bars in the borough and is supported by the Home Office.

Visit www.brentbestbarnone.com for more information.

Green Man Pub management and staff receive award from Mayor Cllr Harbhajan Singh and his wife

UPdate

Brent’s blooming winners The winners of Brent in Bloom 2010 were presented with their awards by Mayor of Brent Councillor Harbhajan Singh.

The annual competition gives local people the opportunity to show off their gardening skills and aims to make the borough more attractive for residents and visitors. There are seven categories with marks awarded for colour, design, quality of plants and cleanliness. The majority of people who enter are amateur gardeners and entry to the competition is free.

The winners in 2010 are: Neighbourhood Award (1st Prize) NW2 Residents Association, (2nd Prize) The Residents of Astley Avenue (3rd Prize) Roe Green Village Residents Association Front Garden – Seasonal Planting (Joint 1st Prize) John Quinn and Mr and Mrs Berry (Joint

2nd Prize) Lena Jeffries and Mr Murphy (3rd Prize) Carol Nicholls; Front Garden – Permanent Planting (1st Prize) John Philippou, (2nd Prize) Mrs Sonia Sassoon (3rd Prize) Mr Chenery; Container Planting (1st Prize) Mr Conybeare (2nd Prize) Mr John McMahon, (3rd Prize) Mrs Margaret O Sullivan; Wildlife Garden (1st Prize) Carol Nicholls; School Garden (Joint 1st Prize) Preston Park Primary School& Leopold Primary School (2nd Prize) Newfield Primary School (Joint 3rd Prize) Roe Green Infants School & Byron Primary School; Business/Public Premises (1st Prize) BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir –Neasden (2nd Prize) The Swan Public House (3rd Prize) The Corrib Rest; Outstanding Achievement Award John Quinn, Chris Elsdale, John McMahon and Lena Jefferies.

Brent school in Lord Mayor’s Show Pupils from Claremont High School took to the streets of the captial to join in the annual Lord Mayor’s Show last month.

For the procession, students created wind turbines out of willow and tissue paper based on those used in the Thames Estuary.

Young people end their reign

John Quinn: Seasonal Planting

Mrs and Mr Conybeare: Container Planting

‘All options’ short term foster carers wanted Brent Fostering service is looking to recruit specialist foster carers to provide emergency and short term care for children.

The service needs carers who have parenting or childcare experience. It is not necessary to be in the childcare profession and you do not need to have any formal qualifications. However, you will need to be at home full time, have at least one spare bedroom and have no other children or young people under 18 living in your home.

Placements will be for up to six weeks and we will sometimes need to place sibling together.

Children can come into care at any time during the day or at night. This can be a difficult experience and they need a calm

environment where they can feel safe and cared for.We need people who have the expertise, time and compassion to offer this kind of care.

We offer up to £525 per child, per week, including a £200 retainer.

We also offer respite care for holiday periods, ongoing training and extensive support.

Call 020 8937 4538 or email fostering@brent.gov.uk quoting ‘all options’. www.brent.gov.uk/fostering

Members of Brent Youth Parliament (BYP) marked the end of year with a celebration on Saturday 30 October at Brent Town Hall.

BYP members received certificates for completing their year as BYP members from the Director of Children and Families, Krutika Pau and Councillor Roxanne Mashari, co-chair of BYP. Packed with interactive sessions, the event ended with members marking their handprints on a collage as a memory of their time. For more on BYP www.bmyvoice.org.uk/byp

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Gandalf works magic on bullying Actor Sir Ian McKellen - known to many as Lord of the Rings' Gandalf - visited two Brent schools to talk about homophobic bullying.

He didn't arrive on a white horse and there was no sign of his trademark wizard's beard, but Sir Ian McKellen still managed to cast a certain kind of magic over delighted Brent students who met him recently.

The actor spoke to youngsters from Preston Manor and Kingsbury high schools as part of a nationwide tour by his charity, Stonewall, which campaigns for equality for gay, lesbian and bi-sexual people.

He helped to set-up the organisation in 1989 to protect the rights of gay people by bringing about a change in British laws.

Brent Council has worked in partnership with Stonewall's Education Champions Programme for the last two years, to tackle homophobic behaviour in schools.

First, at Preston Manor High School Sir Ian addressed two assemblies, one of sixth formers and one of year 11 students.

He gave a funny and inspirational talk about the only two topics he claimed to be an expert in: acting and tackling homophobic bullying. Students were invited to ask questions.

Sir Ian met a group of students who had produced a role-play DVD comparing racist and homophobic bullying.

Head teacher, Matthew Lantos, said:

“There was a real buzz around school after Sir Ian's visit. He is a captivating public speaker and showed a deep understanding of the tensions experienced by many young people as well as their dreams and aspirations.”

At Kingsbury High School the actor ate lunch with a pupils group, before once again managing to entertain two assemblies of years 10 and 11 students with a frequently thought-provoking topic.

Headteacher, Jeremy Waxman, also spoke about the school's commitment to equality for all and how discrimination, whether based on colour, religion, culture, appearance or sexuality, would not be tolerated at the school.

Sir Ian McKellen said: “By talking frankly about my own life as a gay man and listening to the concerns of staff and students, parents and governors, I hope the visits arranged by Stonewall may make a difference in the classroom and the playground and also give confidence to gay students about their lives in the future.”

For more information about Stonewall go to www.stonewall.org.uk . To find out about Brent Council's work around homophobic bullying call Anthony Felsenstein on 020 8937 3297.

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Brent Adult and Community Education Service (BACES) New Year, new learning, new you

Look out for the BACES course brochure 2010/11 Brent Adult and Community Education Service (BACES) is Brent Council's provider of education and training.

Our mission is to broaden minds, create opportunities and change the lives of individuals and communities in Brent.

BACES courses cater for many different types of people with a variety of educational needs. There are accredited and non-accredited courses at a variety of levels and students can choose to progress at their own pace.

Visit the BACES website now and choose from a huge range of exciting opportunities. Courses are affordable and you may even qualify to study at a concessionary rate. Sixteento-nineteen-year-olds who are not in full time education have free access to accredited courses.

Where do I find out more about enrolling?

New courses starting from January 2011

Stonebridge Centre

tel: 020 8937 3950

1 Morland Gardens, Stonebridge, London, NW10 8DY

Case study Working with children Raksha Chauhan owes a lot to BACES. She has combined studying and caring for her two sons, now aged 16 and 11, with a busy career looking after children. She is now studying for the Diploma in Childcare and Education – CACHE Level 3, having progressed from various childcare courses at Levels 1 and 2.

“Level 1 was the cornerstone for me – it gave me the confidence to work with children” said Raksha.

“The teachers have really opened doors and given me lots of opportunities. I thank BACES and I am proud that these qualifications have given me confidence and helped me to get where I want to be in life.”

Madison House

tel: 020 8937 3636

24-28 London Road, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 7HD

Carlton Centre

tel: 020 8937 3990

Carlton Vale, London, NW6 5RA Visit our website

www.brent.gov.uk/adulteducation Or pick up a brochure at a Brent library or Brent One Stop Service Centre

Taking learning into the community

Brent Council is changing the way residents experience libraries in the borough and we want you to have your say on the plans.

Your library – your say As part of the council’s response to reductions in funding, it is proposed to review library provision in Brent.

Currently Brent has 12 libraries, with varying levels of use by residents. It is proposed that the number of library buildings in Brent will be reduced, releasing more funding for libraries in convenient high street locations, while making savings in the region of £1 million.

This funding will allow the council to enhance the services available to residents, and provide greater value for money for all customers. We will expand online and digital services to provide more remote access, and for those who are unable to visit a library, we will provide a service door-to-door.

Libraries will become community ‘hubs’, promoting cultural activities and information and access to a range of other council and local public services.

We will deliver: • modern and multi-functional library buildings in convenient high street locations • a re-organisation of funding to make libraries more efficient • a clear definition of what people who live or work in Brent can expect from their library service.

How to have your say Over the next three months (29 November 4 March), Brent Council will be holding two public meetings and a customer open day to outline the proposals for the library service.

There will also be an online consultation on the proposals available at www.brent.gov.uk/consultations in the first week of December.

DATE AND TIME

VENUE

1 December 2010 6.30pm

Willesden Library

6 January 2011 6.30pm

Brent Town Hall

12 January 2011 10.30 am - 1pm & 2.30 - 5pm

Willesden Library

AREA CONSULTATIVE FORUM (ACF) 11 January 2011 7pm

Harlesden Area ACF All Souls Church next to Lloyds TSB

12 January 2011 7.30pm

Kilburn and Kensal Area ACF Queens Park Community School

18 January 2011 7pm

Wembley Area ACF Patidar House, Wembley

19 January 2011 7.30pm

Willesden Area ACF College of North West London

9 February 2011 7pm

Kingsbury and Kenton ACF Kingsbury High School DECEMBER 2010

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Be Good King Wasteless this festive season Over the festive period there will be no change to your waste and recycling collection days.

The best way of managing your household waste over Christmas and New Year is to not produce as much in the first place.

• take reusable bags when you go shopping

Recycle your Christmas waste.

Use your green organics bin for food waste and cardboard. Use your green box or recycling banks for paper, glass, cans and plastic bottles.

Unfortunately, we do not accept wrapping paper for recycling.

Try wrapping with brown paper and string for a traditional look, or magazine pages for something funky.

Recycling your Christmas tree.

Chop it and put it in your green organics bin or Bio-sack. You can also take it to Brent Council’s Recycling and Reuse Centre, Abbey Road, NW10 or to one of the following park depots:

• buy in bulk to minimise packaging • don’t cook more than you can eat.

• Barham Park, Harrow Road, Sudbury HA0 • Gladstone Park, Kendal Road NW10 • Queens Park, Kingswood Avenue NW6 (Corporation of London) • Roe Green Park, Kingsbury Road NW9 • Roundwood Park, Harlesden Road NW10

020 8937 5050

www.brent.gov.uk/waste

This year we will celebrate the festive season with Chanukah and Christmas activities across the borough.

Feast of

There will be plenty of festive cheer along Kilburn High Road this year as shops and bars open late on Friday 3 December, offering shoppers discounted prices.

As well as the switching-on of the Christmas lights, there will be food stalls and free entertainment in Kilburn Square The evening of festivities is being organised by the recently launched Kilburn Business Friends to boost local businesses while getting residents in the festive spirit.

For details call 020 7624 1329 or email secretary@kilburnfriends.org

festivities What's on - Christmas

Monday 6 December Queens Park Winter Gathering, Salusbury Road, 3.45pm.

Bring a decoration for the tree and watch the lights being switched-on.

Also food stalls, Santa and singing.

Call 07769 694 733 or info@cancanproductions.com Sunday 12 December Asian Christmas Service, 5pm Alperton Baptist church, Ealing Road.

Tuesday 14 December Carol singing at Kensal Green tube Station, 6-7pm.

Call 020 8960 3929 or email admin@saintms.co.uk Sunday 19 December Carol service at St Mary's Church, Neasden Lane, 6pm.

Monday 20 December Mr Wonderful Christmas Ball, Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, 7.30-11pm.

Ballroom and Latin American dance. £12.50. Call 07860 707 480 or email mrwonderful@talktalk.com Friday 24 December Carol singing followed by midnight mass, 11pm. St Michael's Church, St Michael's Ave, Wembley.

Saturday 25 December Christmas Day family communion, 10am.

All Saint's church, Waltham Drive, Queensbury.

What's on - Chanukah Between 1 and 9 December Chanukah will be celebrated in Brent through song, dance and the traditional lighting of a Menorah candle every evening at the town hall.

Business as usual over festive period It will be business as usual for most services provided by the council while the rest of us are busy celebrating.

• Emergency social workers will be working on Christmas day, Boxing Day and through the night.

Wednesday 1 December Micheal Sobbell Sinai choir will perform 4.30-5.30pm in the Council Chamber, Brent Town Hall.

• Meals on Wheels staff will also be working on Christmas Day to ensure hundreds of people in the borough enjoy a festive meal.

Sunday 5 December Performance by the all male London Cantorial Singers and Israeli Dance Institute. 6.30-8pm, The Paul Daisley Hall, Brent Town Hall

• A full English breakfast will be available to anyone homeless in Brent at Cricklewood Homeless Concern on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, 28 and 29 December between 9am and 3pm.

Wednesday 8 December Torah Teminah Primary School Boys Choir, 6 -7pm. The Council Chamber, Brent Town Hall Get moving in an Israeli dance session and make your own driedel for Chanukah at free family workshops taking place across Brent Libraries. For more information visit www.brent.gov.uk/whatson

• Emergency planners will be on standby in case of a major incident.

Local people are advised to dial 999 in an emergency.

• Over the festive period there will be no change to your waste and recycling collection days.

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COMPETITIONS

Win your 90 minutes at Wembley Stadium An escorted tour of Wembley Stadium makes an exciting day out for the whole family. Stroll into the player's dressing room and walk through the tunnel towards the hallowed turf, then climb 107 steps, standing triumphantly in front of the royal box and see the FA Cup. For Brent residents, we have four pairs of tickets for the Wembley Stadium tour. For a chance to win, send in the correct answer to the following question:

Which band is playing at the Stadium for seven nights next year?

Send or email your answers to Wembley Stadium competition at the address below. For information on event times visit: www.wembleystadium.com/events

Wembley Stadium Event Calendar 26 December 27 February 3 April 16 April 17 April 14 May 28 May 30 May 4 June 1 - 3 July 5 - 6 July 8 - 9 July 7 August

Event starts

AVIVA Premierships: Saracens v Wasps 8pm Carling Cup Final 4pm Johnstone's Paint Trophy 1.30pm FA Cup Semi Finals TBC FA Cup Semi Finals TBC FA Cup Final TBC Champions League Final TBC Championship Play Off TBC Euro 2012 Qualifier: England v Switzerland TBC Take That TBC Take That TBC Take That TBC FA Community Shield TBC

This events calendar is correct at the time of going to print and is subject to change and updates.

More events are expected to be booked for 2011 – these will be added to the calendar as and when confirmed. Please visit www.wembleystadium.com/events for the very latest information.

Competition Terms and Conditions • Only one entry per person allowed • Prizes/tours must be redeemed within 12 months of receiving confirmation • Children under 16 must be accompanied on the Stadium Tour by an adult and have consent of their parent/guardian • No cash alternatives for any prize will be offered • Employees of Wembley Stadium and their families are not eligible to enter. Prize winners must adhere to Wembley Stadium Tour’s terms and conditions, available at www.wembleystadium.com/tours • All prizes/tours are subject to availability and pre-booking is required.

Win a musical Christmas treat at The Tricycle Blunderbus Theatre Company presents The Very Noisy Night.

A bewitching tale about a scared little mouse with a very big imagination. Little Mouse can't sleep - it's his first night in his own bed and he finds the dark very scary. How is he supposed to fall asleep when strange things are happening all around him? There's something huffing and puffing outside, tap-tapping on the window, and drip-dripping nearby.

Watch as Little Mouse's bedroom, and the show's specially designed set, comes to life before your eyes - did those socks fly out of that drawer by themselves?

And what are those shadows dancing on the walls? This brand new production is based on the best-selling book by Diana Hendry and Jane Chapman.

For the chance to win a pair of tickets, answer the following question:

Who wrote the book The Very Noisy Night?

Monday 27- Friday 31 December 11.30am and 2pm BOX OFFICE: 020 7328 1000 www.tricycle.co.uk Suitable for ages 3-7 yrs and grown-ups too. Tickets £7.50/£6.50 reductions Early Bird Family Saver (four tickets) £25 if booked 1-18 Dec. Published by Little Tiger Press www.littletigerpress.com

IMAGE: Jane Chapman

Send your entries on a postcard with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: (Name of Competition), The Brent Magazine, Room 9, Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley HA9 9HD or email competition@brent.gov.uk (add name of competition to subject line). The deadline for all competitions is Friday 10 December 2010.

Last month’s winners: Question of Sport tickets Mrs T Kemp and Shelia Healy.

Stadium Tour tickets Zoey Moo, Philip Moleman, Andrew Rodwell, Bijal Shah.

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DECEMBER 2010

your health BRENT HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUPPLEMENT • AUTUMN 2010

Breast cancer screening Early detection enables early treatment

BREAST CANCER SCREENING

The breast thing you can do Breast screening can be a life-saver. Early detection enables early treatment. The NHS Breast Screening Programme saves about 1,400 lives every year in England, but in Brent, approximately 45% of women invited for breast screening do not attend.

If your appointment is not convenient for you, you can call the number given in your invitation letter and arrange a better time, as well as choosing the screening centre which is best for you.

Centres are provided at Edgware Community Hospital, the Central Middlesex Hospital and mobile units in different areas of Brent, including one that is currently at the Wembley Centre for Health and Care.

Screening is done by female staff who explain what happens during the test, and ensure that women are treated with respect and dignity.

Early detection enables early treatment

NHS Brent is committed to encouraging women eligible for breast screening to attend.

Two X-rays are taken of each breast to ensure maximum coverage. Results are ready within two weeks.

NHS Brent, together with our GPs, follow up women who do not attend screening, encouraging them to rebook. Our health trainers, who speak different languages and represent different cultures, also run information sessions for women who want to find out more about breast screening and discuss any fears they may have about the process.

We are currently compiling a survey to find out why women do not attend their screening appointments,and the results will be used to help improve access to and take up of breast screening.

If you would like to take part in our survey or you have suggestions which you feel will help us improve the service, please contact us on 020 8795 6233.

Talking’s good!

Due to your feedback and comments we now have a Hyper Acute Stroke Unit at Northwick Park Hospital, a new GP led Health Centre in Wembley and improved local hospital services for children. Our Consultation Annual Report (2009-10) details the 27 separate consultation activities that many of you got involved in. You can find it on our website via www.brentpct.nhs.uk with details of all the exciting things that NHS Brent initiated. We want to say a big ‘Thank You!’ to everyone that got involved; we really value your contribution.

To find out how you can get involved call us on 020 8795 6678.

Getting better We want to make our local health services better for you. Following a Patient Experience Workshop, GP Practices are beginning to roll-out online appointment booking, are looking into texting appointment reminders and have all increased their opening hours.

SEXUAL HEALTH

Chlamydia – wrap up this Christmas

Testing is free and confidential

Simon says…

Simon Bowen, NHS Brent’s Acting Director of Public Health says it’s time to make your New Year resolutions.

It’s never too early to start planning your New Year resolutions. So here’s a brief checklist of things to help with a “New Year, New You”!

Stop smoking – it’s not easy, but the benefits are enormous.

Contact the Brent Stop Smoking Service on 020 8795 6669 for free help and support.

Christmas is the season of giving. But with one in ten people thought to be affected by Chlamydia, be careful that you don’t give – or receive – more than you bargained for this year.

The chlamydia infection can be easily diagnosed through a simple swab or urine test, and can be treated with antibiotics. And wherever you get tested and treated, it’s free and confidential. Getting treated quickly reduces the risk of passing the infection on, and you should get tested every time you change your sexual partner.

If left undiagnosed and untreated, chlamydia can lead to more serious long-term health problems and infertility…

Have a health MOT – get your flu jab, book your cervical smear test with your GP or respond to your breast screening invite.

Eat well – try to buy less prepared foods and eat more fruit and vegetables.

Be alcohol aware – avoid excess drinking over the holiday period and watch your alcohol intake in the New Year.

Have a Healthy, Happy New Year!

You can get tested for free at your GP practice, selected pharmacies, chlamydia outreach workers, at a Chlamydia screening office or even through a postal testing kit.

Printed on recycled paper.

Chlamydia is often called the ‘silent’ disease, because around 50% of men and 70-80% of women will have no symptoms and many cases remain un-diagnosed so if in doubt get tested – it’s quick, it’s easy and it’s free.

NHS Brent’s Acting Director of Public Health, Simon Bowen, said: “The good news is getting tested for chlamydia is easy, and treatment is painless, quick and free. It’s very difficult for people to know that they have chlamydia without being tested. But it’s a serious disease because, if left undiagnosed and untreated, chlamydia can lead to more serious long-term health problems and infertility. And, of course, using a condom when you have sex is the simplest way of making sure that you protect yourself and others from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancy.”

Get active – you don’t have to join a gym; get off the bus a stop earlier, use the stairs instead of an escalator or go for a walk at lunchtime.

For more information, visit www.sexualhealthbrent.org.uk

11.10 BDU 6342

It’s a good life at Brent’s allotments

Ricky Campbell and Debra Tyrell relaxing on their allotment.

Photograph by Emma Harpin.

You don't need to own a garden to be green fingered; two Brent residents have got back to nature by creating an award-winning allotment. By ANNA MACARTHUR. Debra Tyrell, 47, and neighbour Ricky Campbell, 76, who grow all their own vegetables and fruit at their Neasden allotment, won bronze at the London Garden Society award ceremony.

Debra, a single mum with three children, started gardening just three years ago after hearing about the benefits at a Healthy Harlesden event.

She said: “I discovered a real joy for playing in the mud and getting my hands dirty. I didn't know if I would have enough experience but this has become a great love for me and I now spend two or three hours here every day.”

After becoming friends while working neighbouring plots, Debra joined forces

with Ricky to create one super allotment.

Debra says: “Ricky is an expert gardener and has taught me everything I know. But we're dumfounded to win.”

Their plot on the Bridge Road Allotment site, Neasden, is an oasis of calm close to the River Brent. The green-fingered friends have cultivated a wide range of produce including less traditional vegetables like artichoke and asparagus.

They also have outside seating areas, a water feature, three beehives and a large shed complete with welsh dresser, velvet drapes and chandelier.

Ricky has also paid tribute to his Jamaican heritage with his exotic garden where he has planted three bananas trees.

John Dalziel, Secretary of the London Garden Society, said: “Debra and Ricky's plot was judged a winner because it is an attractive mix of vegetable and flowers beds, a colourful mix of plants including exotic fruit, beehives and water features.

It's a good use of the space.”

There are more than 1,000 allotment plots in Brent spread over 22 sites. They can be rented for between £16.50 and £66 a year.

Brent Council hopes to be able to provide more allotment plots in Neasden and Harlesden in the near future. For more information call Brent Council's Allotment and Letting Officer, Ian Waldron on 020 8937 5341.

DECEMBER 2010

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Park in heavenly peace…

www.brent.gov.uk/parking

Rest easy at Christmas when your vehicle is properly parked.

Parking restrictions in Brent over the Christmas and New Year period DATE

PARKING RESTRICTION

CAR POUND OPENING TIMES

PARKING SHOP OPENING TIMES

Christmas Eve

Friday

24 December

Normal restrictions

8am - 9.30pm

8am - 4pm

Christmas Day

Saturday

25 December

None

Closed

Closed

Boxing Day

Sunday

26 December

Normal Sunday restrictions

9am - 9.30pm

Closed

Bank Holiday

Monday

27 December

Bank Holiday restrictions

9am - 11pm

Closed

Bank Holiday

Tuesday

28 December

Bank Holiday restrictions

9am - 11pm

Closed

Wednesday 29 December

Normal restrictions

8am - 12 midnight

8am - 6.30pm

Thursday

30 December

Normal restrictions

8am - 12 midnight

8am - 6.30pm

New Year’s Eve Friday

31 December

Normal restrictions

8am - 12 midnight

8am - 4pm

New Year’s Day Saturday

1 January

Normal Saturday restrictions

8am - 12 midnight

Closed

Sunday

2 January

Normal Sunday restrictions

8am - 12 midnight

Closed

Monday

3 January

Bank Holiday restrictions

8am - 12 midnight

Closed

Tuesday

4 January

Normal restrictions

8am - 12 midnight

8am - 6.30pm

CONTROLLED PARKING ZONES

WEMBLEY STADIUM

BRENT CAR POUND

The Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) that operate on Bank Holidays are:

On 26 December 2010 the Wembley Stadium Protective Parking Scheme restrictions will apply throughout the event day zone, as there is an event at Wembley Stadium.

All vehicles that have been removed within Brent are taken to the Car Pound at Pyramid House, Fourth Way, Wembley, HA9 0LJ. The police are informed of all removals. If you believe your vehicle has been removed, you should call the police on 0300 123 1212 or the Brent Car Pound on 020 8937 4990.

Bank Holiday

Chamberlayne Road (KR) Ealing Road (E) Dyne Road (KD) Kensal Rise (KL) Kilburn Lane (KG)

TIME PLATES

Malvern Road (KM)

Please ensure you read the time plate at the location before you park.

Temple Zone (T) Wembley Hill (W)

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A vision for Alperton Residents can have their say about plans to transform a neglected part of Alperton into a thriving area offering new homes and improved business and employment opportunities. By LUCY BAILEY Local people, businesses, landowners and community groups, will be consulted in the New Year about the Alperton Masterplan. It sets out how the council hopes to develop a strip of poor quality brownfield land next to the Grand Union Canal into a new, mostly residential neighbourhood of 1,600 new homes, together with improved shopping and cultural facilities and business space.

As well as providing much-needed new properties in the borough, the council thinks that the area – running alongside the canal from Middlesex House in the west, to the Northfield Industrial Estate in the east – provides a chance to radically renew and improve existing business and employment opportunities.

A chance to radically renew and improve existing business and employment opportunities.

Lead Member for Regeneration, Councillor George Crane, said: “The council wants to see Alperton transformed into a place where people choose to live, work and invest.We believe it gives us a unique opportunity to develop a quality environment which will draw upon the huge potential of the canal and nearby Ealing Road.We will be consulting very closely with people who live and work in the area as it is crucial that they have their say about this exciting regeneration project.”

The masterplan will provide potential developers with guidance as to how the area should be re-developed. The council’s planning policy committee gave approval for the document to go to public consultation in October.

The plan is based on the ‘Vision for Alperton’, a document that was drawn up by the council, following meetings with residents, businesses and landowners in 2009. In it, the area is split into three distinct neighbourhoods: • a cultural centre of community facilities, local shopping and modern business space • a waterside residential area, aimed at families, with a network of connected streets and public spaces • an industrial zone comprising business space and a road bridge link across the River Brent connecting the estate with the North Circular Road and onwards to Park Royal.

To register your interest in this project contact the regeneration officer on 020 8937 1038 / 5346 or email alperton.masterplan@brent.gov.uk DECEMBER 2010

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From 1 January 2011.

Stick to the rules or get fined £120.

NO PARKING ON THE MARKING Brent Safer Roads www.brent.gov.uk/bsr

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Crime clean up Crime busting residents in Alperton have stamped out anti social behaviour in Heather Park after they joined forces with Brent Council and local police to introduce a Dispersal Order. ANNA MACARTHUR finds out more.

Fed up with nuisance behaviour on their doorstep - the determined group of residents and business owners met up with council officers and the Alperton Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) to make sweeping changes to their area.

A business owner from Heather Parade said groups of people were blighting the lives of residents, while traders were losing money.

He said: “They stayed out all night scaring passersby and would be drinking and aggressive. People didn’t want to walk past and I lost 30 per cent of my customers.”

Alperton SNT made several attempts to tackle their behaviour. He added: “Police tried to talk to them and regularly patrolled the area but they used to run away and come back when the police had gone.”

Undeterred, police and council officers called a meeting of shop owners to help them tackle the problem. Each business was helped to ban the trouble makers from their shops.

Brent Council’s Anti Social Behaviour Manager, Kiran Vagarwal, said: “We wanted to take a zero tolerance approach and work with the local people in the area. We wrote to residents asking them to record anti social behaviour and to contact police on every occasion. We visited victims reassuring them we were challenging this group.

“We also organised a community action day where traders and residents turned out in force to clean up the alleyways that connect the open space and the parade of shops.”

The Dispersal Notice – to move on groups of two or more causing anti social behaviour – was issued to group members and they were asked to leave the area.

Since the Dispersal Order, crime and anti social behaviour has fallen drastically.

There has only been one arrest and over 100 people asked to leave the area.

A resident said: “Everything is back to normal: they’re not allowed to come back immediately and I’m very happy.”

Sgt Mike Feeney, Alperton SNT, said: “We will continue to monitor the area and take action against anyone causing anti social or nuisance behaviour in the local community.”

For more information visit www.brent.gov.uk/communitysafety.

To report anti social behaviour in your area call 020 8733 3932.

Working together: residents, traders and police officers turned out in force to clean up the alleyways.

DECEMBER 2010

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BRENTpeople

Story of success What do Bill Gates, P Diddy and Aristotle Onassis have in common?

They all feature in The History of the World’s Greatest Entrepreneurs

by Brent businessman Ronald Shillingford.

When did you discover your talent as an entrepreneur?

What do you hope people get out of it?

I was 10 years old facing my first major crisis, at Aylestone High, now Queens Park Community School. The only thing of importance to me was football. I made the side, as the striker and captain. But the school couldn’t afford to pay for transport to our away games. So I came up with a cunning plan. My mum worked at McVities and the factory had a staff shop that sold discounted underweight products like cakes and biscuits. I would purchase these and sell them during lunch at surrounding schools. It paid-off and I was able to fund the transport ‘deficit’ and maintain my place in the side.

I hope readers will find role models of every race, period and circumstance. I truly hope this book will work as a guide book and tool for anyone serious about achieving great things in their lives.

Where did your inspiration come from for the book?

During my 30 years as an entrepreneur - in manufacturing, telecommunications and banking - I found myself intrigued with the achievement of both successful and un-successful people. I always wanted the opportunity to really sit down and make sense of my own experiences. I found thinking time while abroad in a beautiful town facing the Aegean Sea. Surrounded by complete silence with an amazing sea view, I began to read Alvin Harlow's biography on Andrew Carnegie. It hit me how valuable it would be to those in need of inspiration to have a single book featuring the world’s most successful business people; an honest account of their stories that gave the whole truth of how they achieved success.

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Do you have advice for anyone wanting to write a book?

My advice is immerse yourself in your passion. In doing so it’s almost inevitable you will discover a great truth, which is what readers are looking for. Columbus was not the greatest navigator, but arguably the most passionate; and now the most famous. It was his drive that caused him to stumble upon America.

What are your plans for the future?

I’ve been in property and the banking business for the last seven years and have now launched a publishing company. My next project is finding a TV producer to turn the book into a documentary. I’m also trying to get a movie made about the life of Columbus.

Ronald Shillingford will be signing books between 1-3pm at Queens Park Books, Salusbury Road on 4 December.

In March 2011 Brent residents will once again join others across the country in taking part in the census. The survey results will give a good idea of how many people are now living in the borough and what their needs are.

The changing face of Brent The census is the most important source of information about people we have. Since 1801, every ten years (excluding 1941) the nation has set aside one day for the census – a count of all people and households. It’s almost ten years since the last census was conducted.

The census allows the council to plan housing, education, health and transport services for years to come and is the only survey which provides a detailed picture of the entire population.

It also reveals many interesting facts about people living in the area. For example, we know from the 2001 census the percentage of residents in each Brent ward who were born in the UK. The highest number was in Queens Park at 62.7 per cent, with Wembley Central ward having the lowest percentage of UK-born residents with 41.7 per cent.

HELP US SHAPE TOMORROW

“By knowing who is living in the borough that we can provide the right services to meet their needs.”

Ten years ago 79 per cent of Brent residents responded to the census, but in 2011 the council is committed to increasing this figure.

At Respect Festival and Brent Countryside Day youngsters were asked to create stick figures to represent the borough’s population, as a fun way of raising awareness of the census.

Alisdair Maclean, GIS Manager, said, “The census is not only important because of budgets but also because it will allow the council to plan for things like school places. We want everyone to get involved because it’s only by knowing who is living in the borough that we can provide the right services to meet their needs.”

The census is due to take place in March. To find out how you can help Brent get an accurate count visit www.brent.gov.uk/census or to apply for jobs go to www.censusjobs.co.uk DECEMBER 2010

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Sudbury Community Church u b ry Hill Communi yC urc presents p

An evening of Christmas Celebration Carols C rols by candlelight, kids’ dance and a variety of food and fun!

Sunday 19 December 2010, 5pm Sudbury Primary School Hall, Perrin Road (off Watford Rd.) Sudbury, Wembley, HA0 3EY For more info, visit: www.shcc-lcc.org.uk or call Pas. David Roy on 0759 5599733 Entrance is free. Come and join us

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ALL IN Aday’s

All aboard the youth bus

Jennifer runs a team of four youth workers who use the bus to get young people aged 11 to 19 off the streets, giving them the chance to meet friends, learn new skills and work towards turning their hobbies into qualifications.

Formerly the tour bus of rock legends Status Quo, the double-decker has been transformed over the past six years.

The lower level houses the driver and a seating area used for jewellery and arts and craft activities. The upper level is lined with internet-enabled laptops and a widescreen television.

“When the bus comes into an estate, it’s like an ice cream van arriving,” Jennifer explains. “Young people who see it tell

their friends because it brings activities right to their doorsteps.

“We offer different programmes depending on what the young people tell us. In the past, we’ve offered ICT classes, drug education, career education and workshops in music, film and journalism.

My team always does outreach work and consults with local young people before the bus arrives; we’re not in the business of deciding what is best for an area.”

The bus travels the whole of the borough and Jennifer plans its route in collaboration with the police and the council’s ward working and anti-social behaviour (ASBO) teams. “We go to the areas most in need.

That might be an area without a nearby

work

The Equipped 2 Go youth bus is a converted rockstar tour bus that travels around Brent delivering activities and opportunities for young people. Running, maintaining and managing the bus is the work of Outreach and Detached youth work co-ordinator Jennifer Shaw.

Interview by DANIEL STEADMAN. Photography ISABELLE PLASSCHAERT.

youth club or an area where lots of young people are congregating – not necessarily causing trouble, but complaining that there’s nothing to do.”

Once the planning and preparation is done and the team arrive in the area, Jennifer is keen that all of the community see it as a home away from home. “The Equipped 2 Go bus is a massive asset for the borough and a lot of thought has gone into it. For any young person in Brent who doesn’t think there’s anything to do and any parent who’s scared of their children going too far from home; it’s a safe, welcoming and fun environment.”

For more information, visit www.bmyvoice.org.uk/outreach DECEMBER 2010

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SECREThistory

Protecting the poor Winter fuel payments for pensioners are not a modern idea; 200-year-old records at Brent Archives show how the elderly were cared for in winter, among other things.

PHILIP GRANT discovers more.

A more detailed version of this article is available at www.brent.gov.uk/archives or from the Archives. For more information, or to look at these poor accounts, contact Brent Archives on 020 8937 3541 or archives@brent.gov.uk

From Queen Elizabeth I's reign, each parish in England was required to appoint two overseers to ensure that poor people in their area were looked after.

They raised money based on the value of the property that local people occupied, and kept records of how this was spent.

Among many interesting old documents held at Brent Archives are the hand-written Kingsbury Poor Accounts from 1811 to 1829, which give a fascinating glimpse into social care nearly 200 years ago.

Many of the regular payments made by the overseers were to support the elderly and orphans. In 1811 widow Mrs Williams was receiving 5s (five shillings) a week for herself, and a further 5s for an orphan she was looking after, Hobley's child. The following year, in addition to the weekly amount, the accounts show £1-7s-8d paid for three shirts a cap a jacket and trousers for Hobley's child.

We may think that winter fuel payments are a modern idea, but the March 1812 accounts record £3-15s-6d paid for a chaldron (about 1 ton) of coals for Mrs Williams and Mrs Perkins. In 1818 the elderly Mr Hale received relief by way of a 12s pair of shoes and 5s in potatoes. More unusually, 5s-9d was paid for a bottle of wine for Mary Pearce (when ill), as well as 6s paid a woman for attending her.

Over a century before the National Health Service started, Mr Arbuckle was paid five guineas a year to treat the poor of the parish. In May 1818 the accounts record several payments for Mary Burridge during her confinement in Bethlem, a hospital for the ‘sick of mind’. These were £4-2s for tea, a bill for clothing of £3-11s-2d and 10s for a horse and cart and man to fetch her.

The overseers occasionally gave small amounts to casual paupers, and once paid 5s for a horse to remove a pauper to Abbots Langley. They had to get their accounts approved at a monthly meeting called a ‘Vestry’. St Andrew's Church did not have a room of that name, so the Kingsbury meetings were held at the Plough Inn, with ten shillings spent each time on expenses to encourage local ratepayers to attend.

DECEMBER 2010

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TIMEout

What’s going on…

The essential guide to music, drama, sport, workshops and much more. Find out what’s going on in Brent during December 2010. To get your event listed email tbm@brent.gov.uk or telephone 020 8937 1098.

CHILDREN KINGS HALL YOUTH CLUB New members' club opens 1 Dec for 10-15 year olds, supervised by trained youth workers and volunteers. Weds 79pm, Kings Hall Community Centre, 155 Harlesden Rd, Willesden Green, NW10. Limited places. Go to www.kingsyouth club.org.uk to download membership form. Any queries, email youthclub@tiscali.co.uk ARTALIKE Sats 10am term-time; Sats 10am-noon ARTTEEN 7-14 £5, Kensal Rise 07946 755 847 ART CLASSES Mini Picassos for children aged 4-6 yrs and 7-11yrs; toddler Picassos 15 months-3 yrs, Gracelands Cafe, Kensal Green 07903 638 817 DOWN SYNDROME TIGER CUBS Thurs 5-6pm football coaching run by QPR, Woodfield School Genwood Avenue, NW9 020 8740 2585 07815 670 806 11TH BRONDESBURY GUIDES Tues, 6pm for girls aged 10-14 in Willesden 07810 653 225 4TH BRONDESBURY BROWNIES AND GUIDES Thurs Brownies 6.308pm. Guides 7-8.30pm.

07981 174 634.

FRENCH CLASSES Weds, Thurs after-school in Kensal Rise ages 5-11; 07753 693 720 GIRLS’ BRIGADE Weds 5.15-8.30pm for five-year-olds and upwards, Queensbury Methodist Church, Beverley Drive 07961 321 237 LONDON IRISH MUSIC SCHOOL Sats, traditional Irish music for under 14s; Oliver Goldsmith Primary, Kenton www.london irishmusicschool.co.uk 020 8205 7231 MAINLY MUSIC Weds 9.45-11am £2.50 music, dancing and instruments with social morning tea and playtime for parents, carers and children under five Wembley Christian Centre Carlton Ave East, Forty Avenue corner 07900 460 875 daveandmarc@gmail.com MINI-SOCCER Suns Year 3 9.4510.45am Year 4-Year 6 10.45am-12noon Uxendon Manor School, Vista Way, Kenton, 6 weeks £30, call George Lappas 07957 229 518 MUM AND TODDLER Thurs 10am-12noon, Preston Mall Community Centre, Kenton £2 020 8204 1148 NOAH’S ARK Tues 10.30am-12.30pm, Thurs 1.30-3.30pm St John’s Church, Harrow Road, Wembley community playgroup £1 per family per session 07768 453 931 PARENT TODDLER GROUP Thurs 9-10.30am 50p Barham Primary Wembley 020 8902 3706 SPLASH FOOTBALL Sats 10am-12pm, ages 5-15. Claremont High School, Claremont Avenue, Kenton, £30 for 5 weeks 07863 165 737

Bollywood dance See: Dance

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SEA TRAINING CORPS Thurs 7.15-9.15pm Sea Pirates 7-9 yrs; Thurs 7.15-9.15pm juniors; Mons and Fris 7.159.30pm Sea Cadets; Mons and Fris 7.159.30pm Marine Cadets; youth group for boys and girls, Cool Oak Lane, NW9 020 8205 4492 www.seacadet.org 7TH BRONDESBURY BROWNIES Tues 6pm for girls aged 7-10 in Willesden 07810 653 225 SING AND SIGN CLASSES Mon-Fri, for babies 6-18 months. Willesden Green & Kensal Rise 07790 955 576 SOCCER TRAINING Fris 6-8pm, for children, first session free Capital City Academy NW10 mdipaola@cyworks.co.uk 3RD WEMBLEY SCOUTS Fris Cubs 7-8.30pm, Scouts 7pm-9pm Clivedon Hall Clifton Way, Alperton call Andrew Stevenson 020 8997 0951 020 8902 6902 GRANVILLE PLUS YOUTH ARTS CENTRE Free creative learning activities for young people aged 11-25yrs Mons guitar (intermediate): 5.30-7pm, Taekwondo 6-8pm, vocal training (20min private lessons) 6-9pm,guitar (beginners) 7-8.30pm, song writing 7-9pm, street dance 7-9pm.

Tues Brent Youth Circus Company 6-8pm, online drama project 6-9pm, fashion as a business 69pm, discipline dance 79pm. 80 Granville Road, Kilburn, NW6 5RA 020 8937 3612 tina.ramdeen@brent .gov.uk WILLESDEN DISTRICT SCOUTS Groups throughout Willesden for young people aged 6-18, adult volunteers needed 0208 459 3737 enquiries@willesden scouts.org.uk

PIONEER EXPLORER SCOUTS Weds 8-10pm for 14-18 years, Stember Hall, Leighton Gardens, NW10 01582 703121

COMMUNITY BRENT AND HARROW NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WIDOWS 14 Dec Christmas meal, Harrow Hotel. Call Rhona on 020 8969 3198 NORTH WEST LONDON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Meets first Thursday of the month upstairs at the North London Tavern on Kilburn High Road.

Jan 6 – How to Run an Underground Restaurant.

CHRISTMAS FAIR King's Hall Community Centre, 11 Dec 1.30-4pm.

Crafts, tombola, raffle and visit Father Christmas. 50p admission, children FREE. 155 Harlesden Road, NW10 2BS MOSAIC MosaicYouth.org.uk weekly youth club for lesbian, gay and bi teenagers 08000 433 411 NORTH WEST LONDON LESBIAN AND GAY GROUP Mons 8.30pm, Tenterden Sports Centre, Preston Road, Wembley 07941 707884 OVER 50S DISCUSSION GROUP Tues 11am-12.30pm The Gallery, Willesden Green Library 020 8452 8739 OVER 50S BOOKCLUB Willesden Green Library 1st Thurs of the month 11am-12.30pm 020 8452 8739 SUDBURY HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH Sun 19 Dec 5pm. An evening of Christmas Celebration, Carols by Candle Lights, Kids Dance and variety of food & fun.

Sudbury Primary School, Perrin Road, Wembley, HA0 3EY. Visit: www.shcc-lcc.org.uk or call Pas. David Roy on 07595 599 733

WEMBLEY NATIONAL TRUST 3rd Thurs of month, 8-10pm Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre 809 Harrow Road, Wembley 020 8904 5940 WILLESDEN GREEN WRITERS GROUP Thurs 8-10pm Willesden Green Library Centre www.willesdengreen writers.com DOLLIS HILL ART GROUP Fris 7.45-10pm Stables Gallery, Gladstone Park, Dollis Hill Lane. £1 per session, or £15 annual membership. Call Thelma Doyle on 020 8451 0589 LADIES INDULGENCE EVENING 4 Dec 4-9pm Amber Inn, Preston Road. Ladies indulgence and shopping.

Call Jean on 07764 274 990.

COMMUNITY CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT With refreshments. Sun 12 December 6.30pm.

Church of The Annunciation, Windermere Avenue, South Kenton, HA9 8QT 0208 908 2252 GARDENING WORKSHOP 4 Dec 1-4pm. Making wreaths at the Christmas Fair. St Mark's Church Kensal Rise, Bathurst Gardens, NW10 5HX. Call Kay Vernon 020 8960 3929 admin@saintms.co.uk WE'LL MEET AGAIN Free activity group for the over 60s at The Tricycle, including Drama, Art, Dance and T'ai Chi. Call Anna 020 7372 6611 for more details CLUB CEROC Tues 8-11pm, entry £8 plus £2 lifetime membership and a free beginner’s guide DVD, Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley, HA9. www.clubceroc.com 020 8933 4350.

ADULT BEGINNERS BALLET COURSE Until 8 Dec Weds 6.307.30pm level 1, 7.308.30pm level 2 The Corrib Rest, 76-80 Salusbury Rd, NW6 6PA 07956 260 108 www.balletforyou.co.uk ADULT STREET DANCE Tues, 7.30-8.30pm, £5.15 New Bridge Park Centre, Stonebridge 020 8937 3730 LINE DANCING Fris 7-9pm £5 beginners, Chalkhill Community Centre, 113 Chalkhill Road, Wembley 020 8385 1836

BALLROOM AND LATIN Mons 7.30-11pm Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane Wembley 020 8855 6868 BOLLYWOOD AND SEMI-CLASSICAL INDIAN Suns 11.15am-12.15pm Fitness First 197 Alperton Road 07930 593 988 rupal@classic-creations .info TEA DANCE Mons, Weds 1.30-4.30pm £4 Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane Wembley 020 8937 6206 Fris 2-4.30 pm Chalkhill Community Centre, 113 Chalkhill Road, Wembley 020 8385 1836 SELF EXPRESSIVE DANCE Tues 8-9.30pm, £7.50, Holy Innocents Church Hall, Bacon Lane 020 8205 6751 Empire Way, Wembley salsa@mambocity.co.uk Fris 7.30-8.30pm Willesden Sports Centre Thurs 8.15-9.30pm £4.50 07961 281 989 Mons 6.30-7.30pm Salsasize dance and exercise £4 Chalkhill Community Centre, 113 Chalkhill Road, Wembley 020 8385 1836 Da Salsa Room, Salsa classes & club free styling night every Monday.

7.30-8.30pm Absolute Beginners & Beginners classes £6, 8.30-9.30pm Bridge the Gap classes £6, 8.30-9.30pm Improvers & Intermediates classes £6, or two classes for £9. 9.45-11.30pm, club & free styling night with salsa con timba music. Heritage Inn Caribbean Rhum Bar & Restaurant, 301 Cricklewood Broadway, London, NW2 6PG. 07961 281989 info@dasalsaroom.com www.dasalsaroom.com SEQUENCE AND TEA DANCING Mons 2-4pm sequence dance Thurs 2-4pm tea dance £1.50 all ages welcome King’s Hall Community Centre 155 Harlesden Road, Willesden 020 8459 3487 DANCE AT THE TRICYCLE Street Dance. Free classes for 5 - 18 year olds. Call Anna 020 7372 6611 for more details or visit www.tricycle.co.uk.

DRAMA CHAMELEONS Mons and Thurs 8pm, amateur dramatics Neasden Methodist Church, NW10 07968 965 038

TIMEout DRAMA WORKHOUSE Saturday Crew workshop for children 1-2pm 7-9 years; 2-3pm 10-12 years; 4-6pm 13-18 years; under 10s £25 a term, Over 10s £40 a term; Tues adult classes 8-10pm £9.50 Dudden Hill Centre, 19 Dudden Hill Lane, NW10 www.drama workhouse.org.uk 07958 653 725 MADHATTERS Box office 020 8452 5239 www.madhatters theatre.org.uk

ENVIRONMENT KINGSBURY WALKERS Weds 1.55pm, Meet Bush Farm, Slough Lane and Salmon Street junction.

020 8907 2836 BARN HILL CONSERVATION GROUP Programme of events at Fryent Country Park (Sunday) and Roe Green Walled Garden (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday).

Phone 020 8206 0492 www.bhcg.btck.co.uk

EXHIBITIONS BRENT MUSEUM ‘Fabric of a Nation’ discover the beautiful printed textiles and garments of west Africa, Willesden Green Library Centre, Willesden High Road 020 8937 3600

LEARNING FRENCH TUITION By native speaker in Kensal Rise, all levels.

07762254845 MIDDLESEX ITEC GCSE tuition in maths, English, science for 14-19 years at Middlesex ITEC 020 900 0505 READING GROUP Tues 10.30am-12.30pm free weekly shared reading group looking a short extracts from novels, journalism, short stories no homework or preparation needed, led by novelist and writer Shahrukh Husain and supported by Royal Literary Fund; Kilburn Library Salusbury Road, NW6 020 8451 1834 shah.hussein@ btinternet.com TAMIL READING GROUP Last Sat of month 2.304.30pm Tamil literature, language and culture with guest speakers; Willesden Green Library Centre NW10 020 8937 3400 yamuna.tharmendiran @brent.gov.uk

UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE Courses, talks and workshops 020 8933 7558 www.brentu3a.org.uk WORKERS EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION Thurs 10am classes held in coffee lounge at St John’s Church Wembley, entrance via gate in Harrow Road 020 8904 5940

MUSIC SINGING LESSONS Sat-Wed contemporary singing lessons and music theory, beginners to intermediate levels, Neasden Lane 07796 372 499 e_chinners@yahoo.com VOCALITY WILLESDEN COMMUNITY CHOIR Mons 8-10pm first session free, gospel, African, pop and more, Willesden Green Library Centre, Space 2 95 High Road, NW10 07985 094 322 WOS 10-13 Nov ’42 Street’ Winston Churchill Theatre, Ruislip box office 07983 103 444 peterday4@aol.com WILLESDEN GREEN CHOIR Mons 8-10pm. Songs from all over the world, no auditions, first session FREE. Willesden Green Library Centre, Space 2, NW10 2SF. www. vocalitysinging.co.uk

SPORTS & LEISURE KIDS BOXING CLASS Mon - Fri 4-5pm £3 Per session. Ages 4 – 11.

Non-contact boxing. Real Fitness London Ltd 162 Anson Road, Gladstone Park, NW2. Book in advance realfitness@ hotmail.co.uk 020 82053155 or Wayne on 07717005264.

BRONDESBURY BOWLING CLUB Evenings and daytime including free tuition, Chatsworth Road 0208 438 0302 BROTHERS PEARSE CAMOGIE CLUB Ladies’ hurling club, all levels welcome, call Mary Cahill 07904 685 276 CENTURY BOWLS CLUB Indoor and outdoor bowls, free coaching available, Logan Road, Wembley 020 8904 3261 WEMBLEY BOWLS CLUB Weds 3pm onwards all levels welcome, tuition offered by experienced lawn bowls players King Edward VII Park, Park Lane Wembley 020 8907 8626

OVER 50S YOGA Wednesdays 10.30am11.45am, Willesden Sports Centre £2 a session LADIES KEEP FIT Weds 7.30-8.30pm Mandhata Centre, 20a Rosemead Avenue, Wembley 07930 593 988 rupal@classic-creations .info PILATES Mons 7-8pm, Sats 1011am Living Well Health Club, Wembley Plaza Hotel, Empire Way, £5 07903 937 909. Thurs 7.30pm beginner to intermediate. The Lady House, Hay Lane Kingsbury, book in advance Di Hurley 07958 140 003 PRESTON PARK BOWLS CLUB New members welcome, free coaching and loan of bowls Preston Park Recreation Ground, Carlton Avenue East 020 8933 9358 020 8427 1590 QUEENS PARK HARRIERS Tues & Thurs 7-8pm, Willesden Sport Centre www.queenspark harriers.org.uk SHORINJI KEMPO MARTIAL ART Tues 8-9.30pm Church of Ascension, The Avenue, Wembley; Fris 7.30-9pm at St Erconwald’s Church Hall, 112 Carlton Avenue East, Wembley 07404 039 087 SUDBURY COURT BADMINTON CLUB Thurs 8-10pm, The Mall, Kingsbury 020 8904 6698 WU SHU KWAN Chinese kickboxing. Sats 3-5pm, Willesden Sports Centre, Donnington Road, NW10.

07835 244 398 www.wushukwan.com TAEKWONDO Mons 7-9pm, Sat 10-11am Holy Innocents Church Hall, Bacon Lane Kingsbury 07799 546 428 TAI CHI Tues 10-11.30am all levels 10-week course £40, concs £12.50 BACES 3 Madison House 24-28 London Road Wembley 020 8795 3977. Tues, 6.30-8pm beginners, 8.30-9pm advanced, St Anne’s hall, 125 Salusbury Rd, NW6 07939 043 580 Weds, 1.30-2.30pm, £2 over 55s, beginners, gentle movements (health questionnaire must be completed first) Fitness First, Kingsbury 07957 185 367

YOGA Mons-Suns beginners and advanced classes in hatha and dynamic flow yoga; pre and post natal and children’s classes; Special Yoga Centre 2a Wrentham Ave, Kensal Rise, 020 8968 1900 www.specialyoga.org.uk Mons 6.30-7.30 pm, Thurs 7-8pm, Sun 1112noon, special Jan course £60, drop-in £10 Gladstone Community Centre, 162 Anson Road 07901 650 763 Mons 1-2pm, Sats 910am, £2,50 per lesson Dudden Hill Centre, Dudden Hill Lane, NW10 0208 459 1107 Tues 7.45pm sahaja yoga at Victoria Hall, Sheepcote Road, Harrow 020 8097 5985. Weds 10.30am-12.30pm Dudden Hill Community Centre, 19 Dudden Hill Lane, NW10 bhakti yoga free classes, call Karano 020 8450 9603 07913 897 406. Thurs 7.30pm-9pm experienced students, Victoria Hall, Sheepcote Road, Harrow 020 8861 5663. Tues 9.20-10.30am Laughter Yoga, Roundwood Park Cafe, NW10. Children free, refreshments provided www.lifebulb.org Thurs 7.15–8.30pm Evening Laughter Yoga, Nest Cafe, Willesden Green Station, NW2 4QT. £10/£8 www.lifebulb.org TAEKWONDO Tues 6-9pm, Thurs 67.30pm, Ealing Road Methodist Church 07832 447 763. Mons 6.30-8pm, Weds 6.308pm, Cardinal Hinsley School NW10 07832 447 763 SUDBURY COURT RUNNING CLUB Tues and Thurs 7.20pm, (1st Tues of month for beginners) meet at Wembley and Sudbury Tennis and Squash Club, Sylvester Road, Wembley; social runs and group runs www.sudbury court.org.uk 020 8904 8814

BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU Kids classes Tues, Weds and Thurs from 4pm.

Adult classes Tues and Thurs 7-8.30pm and Sun 3.30-5pm. Willesden Sports Centre, Donnington Road, NW10 07092 845 640 or www.bjjschool.co.uk WEMBLEY AND SUDBURY TENNIS AND SQUASH CLUB Social and competitive play; active juniors, Sylvester Road, off Harrowdene Road.

020 8998 3677 020 8902 8098.

WEMBLEY CRICKET CLUB Men’s, boys’ and girls’ cricket teams, coaching for girls and boys Sats 10am-11am at Oakington Manor School, Wembley 020 8902 6096 020 8904 2644 WHIST CLUB Tues 7.30-10.15pm Kingsbury Horticultural Association, The Pavilion Old Kenton Lane Allotments, new members welcome call Bill 07957 965 692 OVER 50S SWIMMING LESSONS Tues 12pm-1pm, Willesden Sports Centre. £2 a session

VISUAL ARTS BRENT AFFORDABLE ART FAIR 2010 Until 17 Dec, daily 26pm.The Gallery at Willesden Green, Featuring a selection of emerging artists – Some artworks for less than £100 in association with The Brent Sport, Culture and Learning Forum.

Willesden Green Centre, 95 High Road, London NW10 2SF 0208 459 1421 info@brentartists resource.org.uk www.brentartists resource.org.uk Life Jazz music by bigsmokemusic.co.uk

Christmas Fair See: Community

DECEMBER 2010

VENUES BRENT MUSEUM High Road, NW10 020 8937 3600 BRENT ARCHIVES Ist Floor, Willesden Green Library Centre, NW10 020 8937 3541 archives@brent.gov.uk PAUL DAISLEY HALL Forty Lane, Wembley, Middx HA9 Box Office 020 8937 6206/6203 STABLES GALLERY ARTS CENTRE Gladstone Park, Dollis Hill Lane, London NW2 020 8452 8655 Thursday – Sunday 11am-6pm TRICYCLE THEATRE CINEMA AND GALLERY 269 Kilburn High Road,London NW6 Theatre Box Office 020 7328 1000 Cinema Box Office 020 7328 1900 Disabled access to auditorium and cafe induction loop in auditorium Minicom 020 7625 5105 WEMBLEY ARENA Box Office 0870 060 0870 www.livenation.co.uk/wembley

LIBRARIES Barham Park Library Harrow Road, Sudbury, Middx 020 8937 3550 barhamparklibrary@brent.gov.uk Cricklewood Library 152 Olive Road NW2 020 8937 3540 cricklewoodlibrary@brent.gov.uk Ealing Road Library Ealing Road, Wembley, Middx 020 8937 3560 ealingroadlibrary@brent.gov.uk Harlesden Library Craven Park Road, Harlesden, London NW10 020 8937 3570 harlesdenlibrary@brent.gov.uk Kensal Rise Library Bathurst Gardens, NW10 020 8937 3660 kensalriselibrary@brent.gov.uk Kilburn Library Salusbury Road, London NW6 020 8937 3530 kilburnlibrary@brent.gov.uk Kingsbury Library Plus Kingsbury Road, Kingsbury, London NW9 020 8937 3520 kingsburylibrary@brent.gov.uk Neasden Library 277 Neasden Lane, London NW1 020 8937 3580 neasdenlibrary@brent.gov.uk Preston Road Library Carlton Avenue East, Wembley, Middx 020 8937 3510 prestonlibrary@brent.gov.uk Tokyngton Library Monks Park, Wembley, Middx 020 8937 3590 tokyngtonlibrary@brent.gov.uk Town Hall Library Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley, Middx 020 8937 3500 townhalllibrary@brent.gov.uk Willesden Green Library High Road, Willesden, London NW10 020 8937 3400 willesdengreenlibrary@brent.gov.uk THE BRENT MAGAZINE

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